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All the staff except Dr James McGarvey would return for next year's campaign while the playing roster, including overtures to Sonny Bill Williams, would not be sorted for a while.

The 2013 group had to cover injuries and developing player depth had been one of the advances.

Players like Charlie Ngatai and Gareth Anscombe, who had been bit-part selections for the Hurricanes and Blues, had emerged with strong performances. They had made big shifts and been at the core of progress.

Trying to claim a repeat Super 15 crown had different challenges from cracking the inaugural title. There were the mental demands about desperation and second-year syndrome but the squad had responded superbly.

Even when they played some indifferent rugby they had won matches and that showed the shifts they had learned about top-level rugby.

"We have all learned a lot about ourselves. But it's not done yet, there is still work to be sorted."